Back in September 2008, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ratified proposals to make nursing an all-graduate profession. As a result of their decision, universities who offer qualifications at diploma level will be phasing out these courses over the next couple of years. All nurse training courses will be offered at degree level from September 2013.

When is Birmingham City University phasing out its pre-registration nursing diploma?

Birmingham City University is already in the process of phasing out our nursing diploma qualifications. The children’s nursing branch of the diploma course will cease to be offered after April 2010, and the other branches (adult, mental health and learning disabilities nursing) will not be offered again after the final intake in April 2011.

Does Birmingham City University offer a pre-registration nursing degree?

Yes. The University already has a well-established nursing degree course which offers training in all four branch specialisms and this course continues to go from strength to strength, providing students with the knowledge and skills they need in order to succeed in becoming a qualified nurse.

Many students who enter Higher Education do so at a later stage in their lives. There are many reasons why they didn’t enter HE study after they finished their education – they chose a different career path, they may not have had the financial means to study at the time, they may have had other commitments or raised a family or they may not have thought that studying at university was for them at the time. However, it’s never too late to take up an undergraduate course.

It can feel like a minefield when setting out on the path to applying for a course. Whilst prospective students who may be studying for A-levels tend to receive a lot of support for applying to university from their college, mature students don’t always have the same level of access to information and advice. Many universities, like Birmingham City University, have dedicated staff who can help with any questions mature students have about applying for their courses – our Choices department has a dedicated adviser who can help with queries made in person, by email or by phone.